Radiodynamic torch launching mechanism



1. H. HAMMOND, JR. RADIODYNAMIC TORCH LAUNCHING MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. I4, I9I3- I'IENEWED IAN. 30| |919- 1,418,87 O Patented June 6, 1922,

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I as 33 "3B JOHN H AYS HAMMOND, IFR.,` OF GLOUCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS.

BIADIODYNAMIC TORCH LAUNCHING MECHANISM.

misero.

Specication of Letters Patent.

Patented J une vti, i922.

" appncatioasled august 14, 19,13, serial No. 784,690. Renewed January an, 191e; sei-a1 No. 274,128.

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN HAYs HAMMOND, J r., a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Gloucester, in the county of Essexand State of Massachusetts, have invented an Improvement in Radiodynamic -Torch- Launching Mechanism, of which the followv ing descrlption, in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a specification', like characters on the drawings representing like parts.

This invention relates to mechanism for releasing or 'discharging objects from their support, and more especially for releasing them from a moving body, and in particular it relates to radio-dynamic mechanism for launching torches from a moving vessel.

In order that the principle of the invention may readily be understood I have disclosed a single embodiment thereof inthe accompanying drawing, wherein Fig. 1 is a view partially in longitudinal section and partially diagrammatic, of one form of mechanism for practising my invention and Fig. 2 1s a side elevation, somewhat diagrammatic in character, representing a se-l ries of torches supported upon a moving vessel in position for discharge.

In prior applications .for U. S. Letters Patent I have disclosed means for controlling moving bodies at a distance by radiant energy. While my invention is not restricted thereto, I contemplate, in accordance with the present invention, the control of a torpedo or other vessel by radiant energy from a distance and I equip the said vessel with objects to be released or discharged therefrom by impulses transmitted from the distant control station. While these objects may be of any suitable type or character,

Vpelled through the water or a vehicle upon to the torchalaunchin land or in the air such for example as an aeroplane.

Referring to. the drawing wherein I have shown a single embodiment of means for carrying out my invention, I have indicated the open, oscillatory receiving circuit at 1, this being connected to the winding 2 of a closed, oscillatory circuit of any suitable type and shown as having therein a condenser 3 and a suitable detector 4 for electrical oscillations. At 5 I have indicated a sensitive relay or other contact `making device. These parts may be of any suitable construction not herein necessary more fully to describe or indicate.

In accordance with my invention, I provide suitable means operated through the instrumentality of the closed receiving circuit iorreleasing or discharging objects and in the disclosed embodiment of my invention, for launchingtorches from a moving vessel. While any suitable means may be employed for the purpose, I preferably employ compressed tluid means under the control of said receiving circuit and operatively connected mechanism.

For that purpose, have herein indicated at 6 a suitable battery or other source of electrical energy in the relay circuit and at 7 I have diagrammatically represented a solenoid magnet, the plunger 8 whereof is operatively connected to or has formed therewith, or attached thereto, a valve 9 mounted in a suitable casing and having a port 10 adapted to be placed in register either with the intake 11 leading from a suitable source oi "compressed iuid such for example as a reservoir of compressed air, or with an exhaust 12 leading to any suitable point of dis# charge. When an impulse is transmitted from the distantsending or control station and is received by the oscillatory circuit 1, the solenoid magnet `7 is energized and the valve 9 is thereby moved to place its port 1() in register with the intake 11. Upon the termination of the said impulse the valve is returned to the position shown in Fig. 1 by the spring 13, thereby placing the port 10 in register with ,the exhaust 12.

The intake and exhaust passages 11 and 12 communicate with a cylinder 14: at the same side of the piston 15 thereof so that upon admission of motive fluid/into the cylinder the piston is moved toward thearightviewing Fig. 1, and when the exhaust passage 12 is as having a plunger 16 provided with an enf' larged end or head 16, adapted to engage a lever 17 pivoted at 18 upon any suitable'snpport and normally held in the position shown by suitablemeans such as the coiled y. 16, its head 16 swings the upper end of the4 v 4Upon any suitable support,

spring 19, the construction being: such that upon the outward movement of the plunger lever 17 to theiright until the lever 'is permitted, upon the movement past it of the l head 16', to snap back toward the left under the tension of the spring 19. I mount a valve'casing 20 having therein a valve 21 provided with anA inlet port 22 and with anV exhaust 23 adapted alternately to be brought into register with an intake passage 24 leading from any suitable supply of compressed motive fluid such as air and with an exhaust passage 25 leadingto any suitable point of discharge. The valve 21 is normally held by compressed spring 26 with 'its port 23 in register with the exhaust passage 25 and with the passage 274 having branches 28, 29. The said valvel 21 is provided with a plunger or extension 30 connected to or extending into the path of movement of the lever 17 so that upon the admission of motive fluid through the passage 11 into the cylinder 14 and the movement 4of the piston `15 and its plunger 16 toward the right,

hull of the vessel, which may be a torpedo,.

at 31. .Thereon at any suitable point I provide a discharge-runway or chute 32 which I have herein represented as inclined but which may be upright or otherwise positioned so. as -to permit the discharge of objects therefrom.. Preferably I effect the discharge of these lobjects throughthe action of gravity and I have herein represented a series of torches 33 as positioned in the runway between the upp'er and lower walls thereof. These torches or illuminating objects may be'of any 'suitable character but preferably they are acetylene torches constructed automatically to ignite upon contact with the water.

In order normally to hold the torches in the runway or chute, I may provide any suitable mechanism but herein for the purpose I have represented a pair of plungers 34 carried by pistons 35 mounted in cylinders 36"suitably"supported inV alinement upon the vessel and provided with coil springs 37 which normally hold the plungers in the position indicated in F ig. 1 and prevent the discharge or'releaseiof the torches from the runway or chute. The pipes or passages 28,

29 communicate at 38-38 with the forward ends of the cylinders 361so that upon admission of compressed motive fluid into rthe passages 28, 29, the pistons 35 and their plungers 34 are forced outwardly, compressing the springs 37, and permitting the release of the leading one ofthe series of torches. 'Vhen an impulse is received by the oscillatory circuit- 1- and-the solenoid magnet 7 is energized, the plungers 34=-34 are momentarily withdrawn and allow the leading torch only to drop overboard into the water. Before the next torch reaches theA point of discharge the, plungers 34-34 are returned to their holding position by theaction of the springs 37-37. The compressed motive fluid is admitted to the cylinderl 36 with asudden impulse, and before the lsecond torch has arrived at the mouth of the runway or chute, the inflow of the motive fluid is cut oft'l and the exhaust port is opened by the sudden return movement of the lever 17, allowing the motive fluid to escape into the atmosphere and the springs 37-37 to re'- expand, thereby preventing the discharge of 'y the second torch, which now becomes the leading torch of the series,land may be discharged by another impulse from the distant control station. The cylinders 14 and 36 are preferably provided with small ports 39 to air. v

Havingithus described one illustrative em- "bdiment of my invention, I desire it to be understood that although specific terms are prevent compression of the contained employed, they areused in a generic and de'-l forthl in the following claims:

1. In combination, torch supporting mechanism, compressed fluid means for releasing energy from a distance for operating said compressed fluid means.

2. A moving body having a support for' objects to be discharged, compressed fluid means for releasing said objects, and means responsive to radiant energy from a distance for rendering operative said compressed fluid means.

3. A vessel having a support for objects to be discharged, compressed fluid means adapted to permit the successive release of said objects, and means responsive to radiant energy from a. distance to render operative said compressed fluid means.

4. A vessel having a support for objects to be discharged, a pair of plungers to hold the objects upon the support, compressed fluid means for operating said plungers, and means responsive to radiant energy from a distance for rendering operative said compressed fluid means.

vthe torches, and means responsive to radiant support, compressed fluid means for operat-` 5. A vessel having an inclined dischargerunway, means to support objects thereon, and means responsive to radiant energy from a distance to release said objects from said supporting means.

6. A vessel having a support from Which objects may be discharged by gravity, and means responsive to radiant energy from a distance for releasing said objects from said support.

7. A vessel having a torch-receiving chute, and means responsive to radiantA energy from a distance for releasing said torches from said chute.

8. A vessel having-a torch support, a plunger to maintain said torch upon said ing said plunger, a valve controlling the operation of said' compressed fluid means, and

Ameans responsive to radiant energy from a distance for operating said valve.

9. A Vessel having'thereon a`closed receiving circuitresponsive to radiant energy from a distance, a solenoid operated by the said,

circuit, a valve operated'by the solenoid, a

compressed fluid receiving cylinder having .afluid admission port controlled by said valve, a torch support, plungers to maintain `torches upon said support, compressed fluid means for operatingv said plungers, and

means controlled by the fluid in said cylinder 4for eiiectingthe operation of said compressed vfluid means.

10. A vessel having thereon a closed receiving circuit responsive tov radiant energy from a distance, a'solenoid operated by said circuit, a valve operated by the solenoid, a compressed fluid receiving cylinder having a fluid admission port and a fluidv discharge port controlled by said Valve, a torch support, plungers to maintaintorches upon said 12. -The combination with means for hold` ing a plurality of objects landjiior guiding` said objects to move in a predetermined path f of retaining means'normally projecting into thesaidpath for preventing said objects from moving in said path, arid means responsive to a continuous impulse of energy to cause said retainingmeans to move out of said path to permit one of said objects to be discharged from said supporting vmeans and then While said impulse continues to cause saidretaining means to return into said path to retain the succeeding objects in said supporting means. v

13. The combination with inclined sup'- porting means for holding a plurality of objects and for guiding said objects to move in a predetermined path of retaining meansvv normally projecting into the said path for preventing said objects from moving in said path, and means responsive toa continuous impulse of energy to cause said retaining means to move out of said path to permit one of said objects to be discharged `from said supporting means and then-While said impulse continues to cause said retaining means to return into said path to retain the succeeding objects in said supporting means.

14. The combination with inclined supporting means for holding aplurality of` objects and for guiding said objects to move in a predetermined path of oppositely disposed reciprocatory plungers normally projecting into said path to prevent the release f said objects from said supporting means, andmeans responsive to a continuous impulse of energy to cause said plungers to move simultaneously out of said -path to permit one of said objects -to `be released from said supporting means, and then While said impulse continues to cause said' plun-v gers to return into said path to retain the succeeding objects insaid supportingmeans.

15. The combination with an inclined chute for holding a plurality of movable objects, and for uiding said objects to move in a predetermined path of a'pair'of oppositely disposedA alined plungers normally projecting into said path to. prevent said objects from moving in said path,' `and fluid pressureA means responsive torafcontinuous impulse of energy to cause said plungers 4to move simultaneously out of said path to permit one of said objects to be discharged from said chute, and then to cause saidplungersto return into said path to Aretain the succeeding objects in said' chute.

.In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of tvvo subscribing Witnesses. Y

kioHN HAYs HAMMOND, JR.

Witnesses I i FRITZ J. BABSON, JOHN CUNNINGHAM. 

